President Moon Meets Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister: "Key Partner in New Southern Policy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the afternoon of the 11th, President Moon Jae-in met with Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia at the Blue House main building to discuss the New Southern Policy and the Korea-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

President Moon stated, "Cambodia is a key partner in our government's New Southern Policy and a major partner in ODA (Official Development Assistance)," adding, "I am very pleased that the Korea-Cambodia FTA, which the Prime Minister proposed during my visit to Cambodia in 2019, bore fruit last year."

President Moon evaluated the Korea-Cambodia FTA as "especially meaningful as it is the first FTA signed with a Mekong country since the announcement of the New Southern Policy," and Prime Minister Hun Sen responded, "You mentioned that the FTA signed with Cambodia is the first FTA Korea has concluded with a Mekong country, and I take great pride in this."

Regarding the Korea-Cambodia FTA, Prime Minister Hun Sen said, "Cambodia has signed and completed all internal procedures, including enactment and ratification," and requested, "I understand that Korea has not yet ratified it, so I hope more efforts will be made toward ratification."

Also, President Moon said, "Since assuming the co-chairmanship of Korea-Mekong cooperation last year, regional cooperation between the two countries has become closer," adding, "As we mark the 25th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations this year, I hope the bilateral relationship will continue to develop." In response, Prime Minister Hun Sen said, "On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Cambodia, I look forward to various events being held to promote relations between the two countries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.